NAIROBI, Kenya — A deadly wave of landslides and flash floods, triggered by persistent torrential rains, has claimed at least 13 lives in Kenya, with search-and-rescue operations continuing under extremely challenging conditions in the mountainous Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The disaster has been primarily concentrated in the Machember Sub-location of Mukurtwo, where a massive landslide swept through the area late on Friday night following intense, sustained downpours.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration acknowledged the crisis, noting that the ongoing October–November–December short rains have resulted in “tragic loss of life, injuries, and destruction of property” across several counties.
“So far, 13 bodies have been retrieved, while search and rescue efforts continue under difficult conditions,” the ministry said, confirming the death toll.
Nineteen survivors have been pulled from the mud and debris, with several now receiving treatment at Chesongoch Mission Hospital.
The human cost of the weather crisis was underscored by a separate incident, where a 15-year-old boy drowned after being swept away by floodwaters in River Obonyo, Kisumu West Sub-county.
Access challenges and aid efforts
The emergency response by national and county authorities is severely hampered by extensive infrastructure damage.
Mudslides have rendered key transportation links impassable, with the Kapsowar–Chesoi Road reported to be completely cut off.
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To circumvent the blocked routes, the government has been forced to deploy aerial support and specialised emergency teams to the region for surveillance and the evacuation of critically injured people.
The Kenya Red Cross Society is coordinating the humanitarian effort, mobilizing food and essential aid. However, Red Cross officials have cited the complete inaccessibility of the core disaster zone as a major obstacle, necessitating the potential use of helicopters to deliver relief supplies to displaced and vulnerable families.
The situation remains highly precarious, with the Kenya Meteorological Department warning that heavy rainfall is expected to persist in the coming days, maintaining a heightened risk of further flash floods and devastating landslides across the affected counties.
